While some people are searching online for summer vacation rentals, others are taking advantage of that by advertising fake rentals.

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Each year, thousands of vacationers fall prey to scams after applying on Craigslist and here on the Central Coast, it's no different.

Bobbi Hughes, 67, of Kansas City found what she thought was the perfect vacation spot on Craigslist, a gift to her husband for his 70th birthday.

The couple planned to visit Capitola.

"The picture looked just beautiful, very inviting, just perfect for our needs," Hughes said.

"So fast forward several months. She comes down here, goes to the house. Empty. Can't get a hold of the renter at all," said Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Lt. Kelly Kent,

who says the department has seen an uptick in bogus vacation rentals in recent months.

The ad promised a beautiful home overlooking the ocean so she rented it for six days at a cost of $1,040.

"At that point, I just know. Oh, we've been scammed," Hughes said.

"They go onto Craigslist because they can't find anything through the traditional rental site and Craigslist is notorious for using homes for rent at prices that seem to be to good to be true," said William Atkinson, Assistant Santa Cruz County district attorney.

Joe and Deborah Faso are the owners of the Opal Cliffs address.

There were at least three other occasions last year where vacationers ended up on their doorstep only to be disappointed.

Consumers are advised to be wary of long distance landlords and to never wire cash to anyone they have never met. Do your homework and if a listing sounds too good to be true, that may be just the case.

"Using your Chamber of Commerce, local tourism boards, call them and see who they recommend. We all have vacation rental agencies that we work with. We know they're reputable," said Carrie Arnone with the Capitola Chamber of Commerce.

"We were out that rented money and we were so embarrassed and so angry," Hughes said.

The Kansas City couple did spend their vacation in Capitola after finding a real rental location and despite losing money earlier this year, Hughes plans to return to the Central Coast.